Cops seek woman in premix coffee case
GEORGE TOWN: Police are looking for a woman who they believe can unlock the mystery surrounding the premix coffee issue in the state.
George Town OCPD Asst Comm Anuar Omar said the woman, a local, had distributed a pack of premix coffee, believed to have been laced with drugs, for free at a coffeeshop in Jelutong.
“We believe she can assist in the investigation. We want to find out who is behind this and their motive.
“I appeal to anyone who knows the woman to come forward,” he told reporters at the district police station yesterday.
ACP Anuar advised the public to be cautious when people offer them premix coffee “even if it is for free”.
He said the manager of the coffee company lodged a police report on Feb 1 alleging sabotage by certain people.
“We are looking into this,” ACP Anuar said, adding that there was a difference in the packaging between the tampered and original sachets.
He said five police reports had been lodged on the matter.
“No arrest has been made so far. We are still waiting for a chemist report on two foreigners who drank the coffee,” he said.
ACP Anuar added that soon after the case went viral, several packets of the coffee were found dumped below Penang Hill.
The case is being investigated under Section 272 of the Penal Code for adulteration of food or drinks intended for sale.
Hospital Pulau Pinang director Datuk Dr Norsidah Ismail confirmed that all seven patients have been discharged.
“The last two were discharged on Monday,” she told reporters during a crime prevention programme at the hospital yesterday.
Penang Crime Prevention and Community Safety Department head Senior Asst Comm Datuk Mohamad Anil Shah urged the public to share any criminal activity via the new Volunteer Smartphone Patrol (VSP) system.
“In the case of the premix coffee issue, if you receive or see any suspicious packages, don’t touch it. Just snap a photo and send it to us,” he said.